Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones. Choose stopping and re-grouping spots in mature forest well away from avalanche paths.
Weather Forecast
Up to 10 cm of snow is forecast for the park today, ending around noon. Expect moderate southwest winds and air temps around -5. Flurries are possible through the outlook to Sunday, with possible light amounts during the day on Sunday. Temperatures will remain seasonal.
Snowpack Summary
30 to 45 cm of new snow has covered a variety of surfaces including, small surface hoar and sun crust on steep south through west slopes. This also covers widespread wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine.Moderate southerly winds have loaded northerly aspects during the storm. Below treeline the new snow is unconsolidated.
Avalanche Summary
A medium natural avalanche cycle occurred early Friday morning. Many paths along the highway corridor ran size 2-2.5, with a few running to size 3.0. Deposits were reaching the end of run outs in some events. We have few backcountry observations, but suspect similar avalanches were occurring up all the drainages.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.